Senior Controls Systems Engineer

Thermo Systems; Fort Washington (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay with bonus

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Job summary

Thermo Systems is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer in a hybrid/field-based role. You will design and deliver PLC, SCADA, BMS, and EPMS solutions for mission-critical projects across multiple industries.

Collaborate on system architecture, write documentation, and guide teams through FAT/SAT and commissioning to ensure on-time delivery. Ideal candidates have 5+ years in controls/automation, strong knowledge of Rockwell, Siemens, Schneider, and Ignition, and a track record of high-quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related field.
• 5+ years’ experience in controls engineering, automation, or system integration.
• Experience on complex industrial, life sciences, or mission-critical projects.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop PLC, SCADA, BMS, and EPMS systems for mission-critical projects.
• Produce and review control system architecture, software, and technical documentation.
• Execute engineering tasks across multiple projects, ensuring delivery on time and within scope.
• Support system integration, FAT and SAT activities.
• Assist with commissioning, including system validation and troubleshooting.

Skills

PLC

SCADA

BMS

EPMS

Rockwell

Siemens

Schneider

Ignition

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline

Tools

Rockwell Automation

Ignition

Siemens PLC

Schneider Electric

Job description

Location: Hybrid | Field-Based

Employment Status: Full-Time | Direct Hire

Compensation: $120,000 – $170,000 Annually + Bonus

Travel: Up to 50% | Project Dependent

Who We Are

Thermo Systems is a global, full-service control systems integration partner delivering premier class automation solutions across the Energy, Life Sciences, and Mission Critical markets.

Guided By The Thermo Way, We Are Unified, Dynamic, And Committed To Delivering Excellence. Our Culture Is Grounded In Three Core Principles

• Employee Success – investing in our people and their growth
• Customer Success – delivering reliable, high-quality solutions
• Financial Strength – operating with discipline and long-term focus

We believe strong teams, trusted partnerships, and technical excellence drive sustainable success.

The Opportunity

The Senior Controls Engineer is responsible for the design, development, and delivery of complex control system solutions across mission‑critical projects. This role plays a key part in executing high‑quality engineering deliverables while supporting project teams through design, integration, and commissioning phases.

Operating across multiple projects, you will take ownership of key technical deliverables, contribute to system architecture decisions, and support less experienced engineers to ensure consistency and quality across the team.

This position is ideal for a technically strong controls engineer ready to take on greater ownership, mentor others, and contribute to the continuous improvement of engineering standards and delivery.

This position is ideal for professionals who value accountability, technical rigor, and hands‑on execution in environments where safety, performance, and reliability matter every day.

What You’ll Do

Core Responsibilities

• Design and develop PLC, SCADA, BMS, and EPMS systems for mission‑critical projects
• Produce and review control system architecture, software, and technical documentation
• Execute engineering tasks across multiple projects, ensuring delivery on time and within scope
• Support system integration, factory acceptance testing (FAT), and site acceptance testing (SAT)
• Assist with commissioning activities including system validation, troubleshooting, and optimisation
• Interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, and control narratives to ensure accurate implementation
• Identify and resolve technical issues across software, hardware, and system interfaces
• Support value engineering efforts to optimise cost and performance of solutions
• Contribute to the development and improvement of engineering standards, tools, and processes
• Support Business Development teams with technical input for proposals and bids where required

Collaboration & Communication

• Coordinate with cross‑functional teams to align scope, schedule, and deliverables.
• Communicate clearly and proactively with internal teams, customers, and partners.
• Act as a technical interface between Engineering, Integration, and Operations teams.
• Support project leadership in identifying risks, resolving issues, and maintaining delivery alignment.
• Identify and elevate technical risks, constraints, or scope changes early.

Quality, Safety & Process

• Adhere to company policies, QMS requirements, and established safety standards
• Support and enhance the company’s Quality Management System (QMS)
• Ensure engineering deliverables meet high standards of accuracy, completeness, and consistency
• Promote structured engineering and documentation practices across all projects
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and drive continuous improvement initiatives

What We’re Looking For

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years’ experience in controls engineering, automation, or system integration
• Experience working on complex industrial, life sciences, or mission‑critical projects

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of PLC, SCADA, BMS, and EPMS systems (e.g., Rockwell, Siemens, Schneider, Ignition)
• Experience in control system design, software development, and system integration
• Ability to work independently on complex engineering tasks
• Strong understanding of instrumentation, control panels, and networked systems
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, and control narratives
• Experience supporting commissioning activities including FAT and SAT
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving capability
• Effective communication and teamwork skills
• Ability to manage priorities and meet deadlines
• Sound decision‑making skills and attention to detail
• Commitment to quality, safety, and accountability

What You’ll Get

• Competitive compensation with annual bonus opportunity
• 401(k) with company match
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with low‑cost options
• Paid time off and sick leave
• Tuition reimbursement and professional credential support
• In‑house and external technical training opportunities
• Exposure to complex, high‑impact automation projects
• A collaborative culture built on integrity, accountability, and teamwork
• Learn more at www.thermosystems.com

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Thermo Systems provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other protected status.

Disclaimer

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work expected. Responsibilities may evolve based on business needs.